Expert Comparison: Salomon QST Lumen 98 Skis · Women's · 2023 vs Line Pandora 94 Skis · Women's · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $359.97 40% off | $325.00 50% off |
User rating | 5(1) | 4.6(10) |
Ski type | All Mountain | Backcountry, All Mountain |
Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
Tail profile | Partial twin tip | Partial twin tip |
In the world of women's all-mountain skis, two models stand out for their exceptional performance and versatility: the Salomon QST Lumen 98 and the Line Pandora 94. Both skis are designed for the 2023 season and offer a blend of features that make them ideal for a variety of conditions and terrains. The Salomon QST Lumen 98 is renowned for its playful nature, balance of weight and stiffness, and its ability to handle both deep snow and firmer conditions. The Line Pandora 94, on the other hand, is celebrated for its lightweight construction, versatility, and its ability to perform well on groomers and light off-trail conditions. While both skis have their strengths, the choice between the two ultimately depends on your skiing style and preferences.
The Salomon QST Lumen 98 is a standout in the all-mountain category, offering a near-perfect balance of weight, stiffness, and rocker. This ski is designed to handle a variety of conditions, from deep snow to firmer conditions, making it a versatile choice for any mountain adventure. The Lumen 98 features a wood core reinforced by a carbon weave and Salomon's patented cork damplifiers in the tip and tail. These features absorb vibrations without adding weight to the ski, making it a nimble and agile platform in the trees and off-piste. With a 98 mm waist, the Lumen 98 offers plenty of float on deeper days. While it doesn't carve quite as well as Salomon's more hardpack-focused cousin, the Stance, it can hold its own. If you're a skier who regularly ventures off-piste and wants a fun, approachable ski for softer snow and powder, the Lumen 98 is a top contender.
The Salomon QST was voted by Ski Magazine as the most playful ski in the women's category of all-mountain skis. With a wood core reinforced by a carbon weave and Salomon's patented cork damplifiers in the tip and tail, which absorb vibrations without adding weight to the ski, the Lumen is a nimble and agile platform in the trees and off-piste, and its 98 mm waist gives it plenty of float on deeper days.
The Salomon QST was voted by Ski Magazine as the most playful ski in the women's category of all-mountain skis. With a wood core reinforced by a carbon weave and Salomon's patented cork damplifiers in the tip and tail, which absorb vibrations without adding weight to the ski, the Lumen is a nimble and agile platform in the trees and off-piste, and its 98 mm waist gives it plenty of float on deeper days.
Salomon QST Lumen 98 Skis · Women's · 2023
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- Returnable
The Line Pandora 94 is a lightweight all-mountain ski that's designed to keep the weight down and the fun up. It features an aspen wood core paired with Carbon Filaments, which keep the weight of the ski down while maintaining high performance. The Pandora 94 also has a bit of early rise in the tips and tails, which allows for easy turn initiation and effortless flotation through crud and powder. This ski is ideal for the lady shredder who wants a do-it-all ski that keeps the weight down. With a 94 mm waist, the Pandora 94 is versatile enough for on and off-trail skiing. It has a 5-cut side radius that allows you to carve a variety of turn sizes and shapes with ease. The Pandora 94 is playful, fun, and perfect for intermediate skiers looking to explore the whole mountain.
My overall impression of the ski is that it's definitely going to be best on groomers, and you can also take it out and explore the whole mountain on this. When I was reviewing these personally, I felt like they did chatter a little bit at higher speeds, so these are definitely ski that you're going to want to be skiing in less advanced terrain, but you can take them all over the mountain.
My overall impression of the ski is that it's definitely going to be best on groomers, and you can also take it out and explore the whole mountain on this. When I was reviewing these personally, I felt like they did chatter a little bit at higher speeds, so these are definitely ski that you're going to want to be skiing in less advanced terrain, but you can take them all over the mountain.
Line Pandora 94 Skis · Women's · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Salomon QST Lumen 98 and the Line Pandora 94 are designed as all-mountain skis, making them versatile options for a variety of conditions and terrains. They both feature a wood core construction, which offers a balance of strength and flexibility, and they both have a waist width in the mid-90s, providing ample float in deeper snow. Both skis also have a bit of early rise in the tips and tails, which aids in turn initiation and flotation in powder. Additionally, both skis are designed to be lightweight, making them easy to maneuver and control.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for all-mountain use, they each have their unique strengths. The Salomon QST Lumen 98 is known for its playful nature and its ability to handle both deep snow and firmer conditions. It's a great choice for skiers who love to venture off-piste and want a ski that's fun and approachable in softer snow and powder. On the other hand, the Line Pandora 94 is celebrated for its lightweight construction and its performance on groomers and light off-trail conditions. It's an excellent choice for intermediate skiers looking to explore the whole mountain and progress their skills.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to versatility, both skis perform admirably, but the Salomon QST Lumen 98 might have a slight edge due to its ability to handle a wider range of conditions. In terms of weight, the Line Pandora 94 comes out on top, offering a lightweight construction that's easy to maneuver. For playfulness, the Salomon QST Lumen 98 takes the cake, with its playful nature and nimble performance. Lastly, for performance in powder, both skis offer ample float, but the Salomon QST Lumen 98's wider waist might give it a slight advantage.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Salomon QST Lumen 98 and the Line Pandora 94 are excellent choices for all-mountain skis. They both offer a blend of features that make them versatile, lightweight, and fun to ski. The Salomon QST Lumen 98 stands out for its playful nature and ability to handle a wide range of conditions, making it a great choice for skiers who love to venture off-piste. The Line Pandora 94, on the other hand, shines in its lightweight construction and performance on groomers, making it an excellent choice for intermediate skiers looking to explore the whole mountain. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.
